I do not own LotR or anything else in Arda.

The funeral for Théodred was that afternoon. Taríen stood beside Éowyn at the entryway to the tomb in the hillside. Both wore black gowns. Taríen allowed the circlet on her brow to show as a symbol of her position.

Théodred was carried down on the shoulders of the Rohirrim. Théoden was just behind the body, followed by Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Éowyn sang a mourning chant in Rohirric as the body was laid to rest. The stone door sealed him in.

Théoden held a white flower in his hand and dropped it before Théodred's grave. "Ever has it grown on the tomb of my forebears. Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger, that I should live to see the last days of my house." "Théodred's death was not of your making," Gandalf replied. "No parent should have to bury their child," Théoden said, tears in his eyes. He began to cry almost silently, covering his face with his hand as he sobbed.

Taríen laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Perhaps I cannot say I have buried my child, for I have not, though I can imagine the feeling. I am a parent myself, and I had to bury my husband before my youngest child was even born," she said, laying her hand on her stomach. "I know the pain you suffer from," she said quietly. He fell, sobbing, into her shoulder. "He was strong in life," Gandalf encouraged. "His spirit will find its way to the halls of your fathers. Be thou well. Go thou, Théodred, go thou."

Taríen looked up as a horse came over the rise, in sight of the city. Her eyes widened in horror as a small form fell from it. "No," she said softly. She began to run towards them.

A short time later, the children were in the Great Hall, eating hungrily. Their names were Éothain and Freyda. Taríen and Éowyn knelt beside them. "They had no warning," Éowyn said, rising. "They were unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot, and tree." "Where is Mama?" Freyda asked. "Shh," Taríen said, wrapping a blanket around the little girl's shoulders. "She may be here yet. Patience, little one."

"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent, he is driven mad by fear of Sauron," Gandalf said. "Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight!" "You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak," Aragorn added. "Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return to fight for their King." Théoden rose quickly from his chair. "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now!" he exclaimed. He began to pace. "Éomer cannot help us."

Gandalf rose and also made his way down to the main floor. "I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war," Théoden insisted. "Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not," Aragorn said. Théoden whirled around to face him. "When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan," Théoden said angrily. "Then what is the King's decision?" Taríen asked. Théoden was silent for a long moment.